Homicide suspected after body found (video)

GANADO - The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 50-year-old Ganado man as a possible homicide.

Neighbors said the man was discovered just after 8 a.m. Sunday in the front yard of a white home in the 200 block of Farm-to-Market Road 1683.

Sheriff Andy Louderback said the man had blunt force trauma that Louderback believed the victim received from an altercation that occurred at the home.

He would not confirm the man's identify nor would he say whether the homeowner was being treated as a suspect, fearing releasing such information might compromise the investigation.

No arrests have been made.

He said he would release more information Monday.

Family members identified the man as Fred "Freddie" Castillo Anzaldua. His sister, Yolanda Rodriguez, 56, received word of his death after returning home from church in El Campo. She said she was devastated.

"I just started crying. ... I don't know why anyone would do this," Rodriguez said, adding he was well liked in the community.

She said Anzaldua loved to dance and fish and was being treated recently for a liver illness.

Rodriguez last spoke to Anzaldua three weeks ago over a bowl of chili at her house. She never imagined it would be the last time she'd hear his voice.

She said he leaves behind three adult children who live in Austin.

She hopes whoever is responsible is brought to justice.

"They need to be caught," Rodriguez said.

Anzaldua used to work part time as a maintenance man for Charles Wenske at a service station in the 100 block of West York Street.

Wenske said Anzaldua was a good man who resorted to drinking after he was "dealt a bad hand."

"He was very smart. He wasn't scared of anything, and maybe that's what got him," Wenske said.

He said it still hasn't sunk in that Anzaldua is gone.

"I saw him yesterday filling up at the gas station, and he waved," Wenske said. "I'm going to miss him."

Mark Madden, 43, who has lived in a house near where Anzaldua was found for the past four years, said his family was shaken up after emergency personnel responded to the scene, covering Anzaldua with a white sheet.

He didn't know Anzaldua well but knew he and the homeowner were friends.

"They have a lot of parties, but they're nice people. ... They drink and carry on," Madden said, noting he didn't hear anything out of the ordinary Saturday as he goes to bed early. "Last night, I'm sure was no exception."